Interests
Pat Puts Mothers First
Pat McMahon performing his one man show, From 13 to 31, in Meelin hall Mothers First was founded by Pat McMahon, a native of Meelin. In 2004, the organisation formerly known as Varanasi Children’s Hospital originated when Pat found a child critically ill on the streets of India. In 2015, the project evolved its approach to target malnourished pregnant mothers with food baskets and medicine. Pat describes how the typical mother enrolled on the program would weigh between 5.5 to 6 stone when three months pregnant. Mothers’ abundance of giving extends even to their biology. The food interventions’ impact directly translates to birth weight increases of up to 150g. It is a pure joy to know that the interventions directly correlate to babies being born better nourished. Research shows that even this small weight increase will positively impact the children born into the program their entire lives. The project in India is now entirely run and managed by local people, and all donations
go directly to the point of need. Currently, the program delivers food and medicine to over 220 mothers each month. The intervention continues for 4 to 5 months post-delivery. This, Pat, says is for the Mothers, to help build back their strength. Pat now spends most of his time on International advocacy and is a member of two high-level United Nations working groups on nutrition. “My soul has seen what policymakers read in reports; that is where I add value,” he says. To end extreme hunger is just a decision away. That decision can only come from the general public mandating governments to fund emergency programs. Last year, Pat began fasting every Monday as a gesture of solidarity. He also completed three barefoot walks, including summiting Ireland’s highest mountain barefoot to mark International Food Day. On Tuesday 8th of March, to mark International Women’s Day, Pat extended his fast to 48
Issue 60 March 25, 2022
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hours to end at 8.30 on Tuesday evening. He then walked 10 miles barefoot, originating at a famine graveyard in Meelin and ending on the stage of Meelin Hall to perform his 1st one-man play entitled From 13 to 31. Pat describes The play as a contemporary play of our time, seen through the eyes of a child-like character. For Pat, the most memorable part of the day was when the curtains closed. Tea was served, and the talk of a community coming together after so long that lasted well into the night. Will he perform the play again? Perhaps. Will he continue his fast and barefoot walk? Yes. The event raised €1,253 equating to delivering food and medicine to 125 mothers for one month. To support our advocacy call, please see Therighttofoodpledge. org. To support the work of Mothers First on the ground Mothersfirstcharity.org.
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